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Civil Service = slow but steady death
I have always enjoyed working, I like the constancy and the social interaction of it all and I also like facing challenges and proving myself. My first proper job was working in a backpackers hostel which I stayed at for around 3.5 years. I had a fantastic time there and my role slowly developed over time, with my responsibilities and pay increasing with it. I packed in that job to come travel in the U.K. and Europe and kind of expected to find work I would enjoy over here as well.
Since being over here though I have had markedly different experiences at different places. I have worked in a bar which was great but the money for bartending in England is horrendous. I have worked in an admin role for a croissant manufacturer, this job seemed strange when I was first offered it but turned out to be the best job I have had in the U.K. The people were cool to work with, the work required thinking (electronically laying out the pallets to fit on lorries and creating VB apps for them to analyse their performance) and it was deadline driven which I enjoy. I was even working for inbound insurance calls a little while and I actually really enjoyed it. The people I was working with were young and fun, all sorts of people called for all sorts of random stuff and it required confidence and logical thinking.
By far though, the worst jobs I have had in the U.K. have both been linked to the Civil Service. The first was for the N.H.S and was just admin/office bitch role. Fair enough, they did not have a challenging role for me, that is fine, but the vibe in the office was horrendous. No one seems to enjoy being at work, people operate within mini clique's in the office. I was only given minimal work that did not fill half the day but was made to feel like I was creating work and stress for someone else by asking if there was anything else to do. In the end I used to sit in front of a computer (which was switched off - I did not have a login) and everyone in the office would pretend I was not there.
The second worst job, which is still my current job, is working for English local government. I am on a switchboard but it is not a very busy switchboard. On an average day I receive around 30 phone calls (nothing for a switchboard really) and each lasts around 5seconds. I work an 8hour day... you do the math. At least at this job I have open internet privileges. Over time I have slowly perverted what is the norm and now wear jeans everyday, hardly shave, constantly have one of my earphone buds in and play music and youtube off this computer all day long. This would have disgusted me in the past but you have to make your workplace bearable and there is no chance of this job getting anymore stimulating or challenging. To be honest this job should not exist, with the internet the need for generic switchboards is reducing. If the other 6 or so staff in this office had all of the calls I receive routed to a central phone they could each answer the calls when they are free. They already answer me when I don't know the answer to someones query. The problem is that everyone here is so afraid of change. They have all worked in the same jobs for 15yrs+ and they cannot bear to see anything change.
I was witness today to the saddest thing I have seen since working here. Someone who has been working within local government for 18years has been forced out due to cutbacks throughout the civil service, this is sad by itself but I understand these things will happen, what is sad is the attitude towards this guy who was leaving. They brought in a temp to do his job a week ago (it is not like his job does not exist anymore, all that matters is that there is one less permanant staff member listed), he has taught the temp, they wrote a card, did a whip around for cash, sent out a message for people to come along to a presentation. About 5ppl were here when he got given the card, someone explained how they thought they would give him the cash instead of purchasing a present so he could spend it how he wants and then asked if there is anything he wanted to say. He said "Not really..." awkward silence ensued. Then he walked out. Near on 20years of this guys life. Fuck that.
p.s. Kate McCann did it.
Since being over here though I have had markedly different experiences at different places. I have worked in a bar which was great but the money for bartending in England is horrendous. I have worked in an admin role for a croissant manufacturer, this job seemed strange when I was first offered it but turned out to be the best job I have had in the U.K. The people were cool to work with, the work required thinking (electronically laying out the pallets to fit on lorries and creating VB apps for them to analyse their performance) and it was deadline driven which I enjoy. I was even working for inbound insurance calls a little while and I actually really enjoyed it. The people I was working with were young and fun, all sorts of people called for all sorts of random stuff and it required confidence and logical thinking.
By far though, the worst jobs I have had in the U.K. have both been linked to the Civil Service. The first was for the N.H.S and was just admin/office bitch role. Fair enough, they did not have a challenging role for me, that is fine, but the vibe in the office was horrendous. No one seems to enjoy being at work, people operate within mini clique's in the office. I was only given minimal work that did not fill half the day but was made to feel like I was creating work and stress for someone else by asking if there was anything else to do. In the end I used to sit in front of a computer (which was switched off - I did not have a login) and everyone in the office would pretend I was not there.
The second worst job, which is still my current job, is working for English local government. I am on a switchboard but it is not a very busy switchboard. On an average day I receive around 30 phone calls (nothing for a switchboard really) and each lasts around 5seconds. I work an 8hour day... you do the math. At least at this job I have open internet privileges. Over time I have slowly perverted what is the norm and now wear jeans everyday, hardly shave, constantly have one of my earphone buds in and play music and youtube off this computer all day long. This would have disgusted me in the past but you have to make your workplace bearable and there is no chance of this job getting anymore stimulating or challenging. To be honest this job should not exist, with the internet the need for generic switchboards is reducing. If the other 6 or so staff in this office had all of the calls I receive routed to a central phone they could each answer the calls when they are free. They already answer me when I don't know the answer to someones query. The problem is that everyone here is so afraid of change. They have all worked in the same jobs for 15yrs+ and they cannot bear to see anything change.
I was witness today to the saddest thing I have seen since working here. Someone who has been working within local government for 18years has been forced out due to cutbacks throughout the civil service, this is sad by itself but I understand these things will happen, what is sad is the attitude towards this guy who was leaving. They brought in a temp to do his job a week ago (it is not like his job does not exist anymore, all that matters is that there is one less permanant staff member listed), he has taught the temp, they wrote a card, did a whip around for cash, sent out a message for people to come along to a presentation. About 5ppl were here when he got given the card, someone explained how they thought they would give him the cash instead of purchasing a present so he could spend it how he wants and then asked if there is anything he wanted to say. He said "Not really..." awkward silence ensued. Then he walked out. Near on 20years of this guys life. Fuck that.
p.s. Kate McCann did it.
